Yoga nidra for pregnancy and birth

Yoga nidra for pregnancy and birth

Motherhood is one of the most profound transitions a woman can experience, time of deep love, expansion, challenge and a lot of change. Yoga nidra supports pregnancy and birth by fostering a deep mind-body connection with the baby and the birthing process and  can help manage the physical, mental and emotional demands of pregnancy, a long with the anticipation of birth.

Why Yoga nidra?

After experiencing the powerful benefits of Yoga Nidra over the past six years, I decided to study this ancient and deeply healing practice so that I could include it in my offering to clients. I first came across Yoga nidra during Yoga classes, now and again teachers would end their class with a yoga nidra. After my first baby was born I was struggling to get the rest my body needed, I was feeling tired and unable to catch up on sleep. A yoga teacher suggested trying yoga nidra and this is where my journey began, but it wasn't until my second baby was born and my sleep deprivation hit new lows that Yoga nidra became a life line. Since then I have continued to experience phenomenal results physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Yoga nidra is a guided practice that can also help mothers visualise and mentally prepare for birth, fostering emotional well-being, and encourage self-care during the transformative journey of motherhood. Yoga nidra extends into supporting postpartum recovery by aiding rest and easing anxiety for both mother and baby.

Yoga nidra is scientifically proven to initiate the parasympathetic nervous system, our rest and digest response that in turn promotes relaxation, reducing stress and easing anxiety.

Yoga nidra during Pregnancy

• Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Regular practice can soothe the nervous system, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety common during pregnancy. 

• Enhances Connection with Baby: The practice facilitates a deep connection with the developing baby, creating an opportunity for visualisation and mother-baby attunement. 

• Improves Sleep: Yoga nidra promotes deep rest, helping to combat pregnancy insomnia and fatigue by allowing the mother's body to relax mentally and emotionally. 

• Fosters Body Awareness: It deepens awareness of the body, including the pelvis and core, which helps in understanding the body's wisdom and making informed choices for comfort and ease.

Yoga nidra for birth Preparation

• Exploring birth stories and belief systems: We carry many pre conditioned ideas and expectations around birth, as well as our own birth stories and the intergenerational birth trauma from our own mothers and ancestors. A tailored Yoga nidra supports women to explore what emotions, blocks or belief systems they may be holding onto. 

• Self acceptance: Yoga nidra creates a safe space where a mothers can explore these fears, emotions or blocks and move into a place of self acceptance and self love.

• Focusing on what you want: In a Yoga nidra 1:1 we identify what it is you do want. We explore how you want to feel about birth and during the birth itself rather than what they don’t want. 

• Regular practice: Listening to your Yoga nidra recording 3-4 times per week can have a powerful effect on the subconscious mind. Through repetition of intentions and guided imagery, neural pathways in the subconscious can be strengthened to support new thoughts, behaviours, and attitudes around birth.

Yoga nidra during Birth (Labour)

• Promotes Deep Relaxation: For labour, yoga nidra focuses on relaxing the body, especially the jaw, tongue, and pelvic floor, to support the maximum relaxation needed for the birthing process. 

• Uses Breath for Strength: Deep breaths and the use of humming sounds during strong surges can help manage intensity, draw energy into the womb, and promote opening and movement. 

• Trusts the Body's Process: The practice encourages surrendering to the body's natural wisdom and the birthing process, fostering trust and empowering the mother to move as needed. 

Yoga nidra in the Postpartum period

• Aids Sleep and Healing: Yoga nidra provides deep relaxation, which is crucial for healing and recovery after birth, especially when sleep is broken. 

• Supports Maternal Psyche: The practice can acknowledge the challenges of motherhood, affirm the new role, and encourage self-compassion and a positive mindset during the postpartum transition. 

• Soothes and Stabilizes: It offers a therapeutic approach for both mothers and fathers to manage overstimulation, anxiety, and the general exhaustion that can accompany new parenthood.

Yoga nidra 1:1 consultation and recording with Anna

What’s included:

Investment is $195 (required at time of initial consultation) and includes:

• 60 minute Initial consultation/set up session in person or online. During your initial Yoga nidra set up session we will discuss what emotions, negative thought patterns or limiting beliefs may have been created around birth. From here we will work on intention setting and exploring WHAT IT IS YOU DO WANT. We will also discuss the content and imagery for creating your tailored Yoga nidra recording and the creation of your ‘Sankalpa’ (intention/affirmation).

• 60 minutes of scripting - Once we have finalised your Sankalpa and you preferred imagery I spend approx. 60 minutes writing your personal Yoga nidra script.

• 60 minutes of recording time - The recording of you unique personal Yoga nidra recording lasting approx 30 minutes. The nidra will  incorporate a reset for the nervous system, a short breathwork, planting your ‘Sankalpa’ and your visualisation journey,  including the areas identified in our consultation above.

• TOTAL OF 3 HOURS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is Yoga nidra?

Yoga nidra is a Sanskrit word from the Vedic texts (originating from ancient India) and is part of the Yogic teachings and philosophy.

Yoga - To unite or bring together, interconnectedness, the state of oneness. 

Nidra - Sleep, Deep Sleep, Changing State of Consciousness. 

Yoga Nidra - a State of Pure Awareness in the Deepest State of Relaxation/Sleep 

Yoga nidra is a unique state of consciousness, where the body is in a deep state of sleep, the brain is aware but resides in a dream-like state. You are completely relaxed but awake, although falling into a deep sleep is very common due to our high levels of sleep deprivation. In a Yoga nidra practice there is a progressive movement through the brain wave states that naturally occur during sleep. Gradually, Yoga nidra brings the mind into a natural stillness. A deep state of rest with conscious awareness. In the state of Yoga nidra, there are DELTA brain waves present, this is the deep, slow wave state, associated with tissue and brain repair. Simultaneously, ALPHA brain waves are present, these are often reached through practices such as Yoga and meditation. This is a calm and tranquil state and is the UNIQUE combination where the body and mind reside in the deepest level of regeneration. Unlike deep sleep you are consciously aware at the same time. That conscious awareness combined with ALPHA brain waves gives us powerful access to shifting deep seated belief systems, behavioural patterns and conditioning.

How is Yoga nidra different from Meditation?

1. You are lying down on your back (in Savasana) unlike meditation where you are typically in a seated position. Stillness is more effortless and it is easier to reach deep states of relaxation when lying down. When we are seated it is impossible to completely relax as the spine is engaged.

2. Yoga nidra is fully guided. Meditation uses an anchor like the breath to return to. There may be some guidance in meditation but generally it is up to the individual to guide themselves back to the anchor when the mind wanders. This can take years and years of practice.

3. Yoga nidra moves beyond the waking state into a dream state (Theta and Delta brain waves) accessing deeper layers of consciousness and is an exploration of self. Unlike meditation where you remain in a waking state (Beta and Alpha brain waves).

What is a Sankalpa?

Sankalpa is a Sanskrit word from the ancient Vedic texts.

San - born from your heart

Kalpa - over eons (something that will remain true over eons)

A Sankalpa is your heart's desire, an intention, a seedling. It is different to a goal as there is no time frame or time pressure.

Why do we work with Sankalpa in Yoga nidra?

Working with an intention in the waking state can dilute an intention. Using the conscious mind may work in direct conflict with our subconscious. In Yoga nidra the conscious mind is quiet and allows us powerful access to the subconscious. The Sankalpa provides a lighthouse guiding you to your true north, your heart's desire and purpose. You may work with more than one Sankalpa at any given time. It is common to have a primary and secondary Sankalpa, and they will change over time as you evolve.

What is Samskara?

The word Samskara is a Sanskrit word meaning 'little groove or impression'.

Sam - complete or joined together

Kara - action, cause, or doing

You can think of Samskaras to be like neural pathways. Samskaras are individual impressions, ideas, or actions; taken together, our Samskaras make up our conditioning and affect our Karma (our way of being). Repeating Samskaras reinforces them, creating a groove that becomes deeper with each repetition. Samskaras can be passed down from past lives and ancestors when we are born. They can also be created over our lifetime. There are 'positive' and ‘negative’ Samskaras. Negative Samskaras hinder our positive evolution and take us away from our Sankalpa. We work on reversing negative Sanskaras during Yoga nidra and reinforcing positive ones. Yoga nidra is a powerful tool for rewiring the neuroplasticity of the brain because the rewiring process happens during sleep in Theta and Delta brain wave states, where we reside in Yoga nidra.

What is Ashraya/inner resource and how do we use this in Yoga nidra?

Ashraya is a Sanskrit word meaning 'coming home', inner resource' or 'inner sanctuary'.

Ashraya is a tool for developing emotional resilience. Your Ashraya is unique to you. It is somewhere or something that creates a somatic experience, meaning it is perceived from within the body. Your Ashraya will create feelings of peace, ease, safety, support, love, connectedness, stability, stillness, balance and calm. An Ashraya can take months, even years of practice to cultivate. Yoga nidra give us the perfect space to cultivate this inner resource. We can utilise our Ashraya when we are triggered, or when the reactive fight or flight mode is dominating and we need a safe place to return to. We cultivate this from within during Yoga nidra allowing us to return to our safe place again and again with practice, so that it eventually becomes second nature. Like a Sankalpa your Ashraya may change over time.

What to expect from your initial set up session?

During your initial Yoga nidra set up session we will discuss an area of your life that you wish to work on and what negative Samskaras may have been created around this area of focus . From here we will develop a primary Sankalpa and an potentially your ‘Ashraya’ that I will use in creating your tailored Yoga nidra recording.

What can I expect from my Yoga nidra recording?

These are different and unique to each individual but generally your Yoga nidra recording will focus on breathing techniques and calming the central nervous system, ensuring that you are out of your reactive fight or flight state and residing in your natural state of rest and digest. This allows your body and subconscious to associate your Sankalpa with peaceful and calm sensations in the body and reinforce positive Samskaras.

How many times a week should I listen to my Yoga nidra recordings?

It is recommended that you listen to a recording at least 3-4 times per week but more if you can.

How Reiki and Yoga nidra came into my life....

I grew up in a very conventional (maybe even conservative) English family. I wasn't aware of Eastern medicine, energy medicine, meditation or any other form of 'alternative therapies' until I was in my mid twenties when I first came across Kinesiology. A fews years later, living in New Zealand, I experienced Reiki for the first time. I was at a pretty low point in my life.

I had been in a toxic relationship for a number of years and blindly chose to stay there. My body was covered in eczema, something I'd experienced to varying degrees throughout my life, and had learnt from Kinesiology it was a sure sign that I was not being honest about what was bubbling beneath the surface. AKA I was deeply unhappy but chose to ignore it.

I’d heard of Reiki and I was curious but I had no idea what it was or how it could help me. Just as I was about to hit rock bottom something drew me to seek out a Reiki practitioner, the day after I booked in that session, my life as I knew it at the time changed significantly. I truly believe now that that was no coincidence. I believe I was guided to Reiki to help me cope with the challenges and decisions that lay ahead of me, and so that I could experience the powerful healing abilities of Reiki first hand. It was with this knowledge and experience that I knew I had to share Reiki with others. What I felt in that first Reiki session was a deep sense of relief, support, love and a knowing that simply everything was going to be OK. It gave me strength and courage. I began to see the world around me through a different lens. A one of gratitude, compassion and love.

From that moment on Reiki became my lighthouse. A guiding light amidst any storm. Guiding me from the rocks. It grounds me, calms me and gives me a sense of trust in whatever may be unfolding around me. My daily practice gives my nervous system the regular reset it needs, allowing my body to return to its natural state of rest and digest. This has become more and more important to me as I attempt to navigate an otherwise overstimulated world. This is one of the many reasons I love to share Reiki with others, as I know first hand the benefits it can bring whether in one session or as a daily self practice.

Yoga nidra, also known as Yogic sleep or Non Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) came into my life more recently. Five years ago after my first baby was born I was struggling to catch up on much needed sleep, I was feeling tired and looking for something to help. A yoga teacher suggested trying yoga nidra and this is where my journey began. I found it surprisingly easy to drop into a deeply restful state at any time of the day. Something that did not normally come naturally to me. When my second baby was born two years later, my sleep deprivation hit a new low, Yoga nidra became a life line.

I began practicing frequently and soon I learned that this powerful 'sleep' was more than just rest. It offered me the ability to bypass my conscious mind. The ability to slip effortlessly into a unique state of consciousness, where my brain is aware but resides in a dream-like state. In a Yoga nidra practice there is a progressive movement through the brain wave states that naturally occur during sleep. Unlike sleep there is a unique combination of DELTA and ALPHA brain waves present. While the conscious mind is quiet we gain powerful access to the subconscious giving us the ability to shift deep seated belief systems, behavioural patterns and conditioning. As I started to work with this in my practice I began to notice the ripple effect in my life.

I decided to study this ancient and deeply healing practice so that I could include it in my offering to clients. I wanted to share with others not only the ability to experience deep rest at any time of the day, but also as a tool to reset the nervous system, and to facilitate healing on a deep subconscious level, that is often unattainable in our waking state.

Think of shutting down all the open tabs of your brain and allowing your body to reside in a deeply relaxing and restorative state whilst remaining fully conscious and aware. Imagine all the muscles in your body releasing and letting go. And the best part is all you need to do to achieve this is to follow the guidance. It really is that simple!  

Read more about Reiki and Yoga nidra here.

Anna is available for Kinesiology, Reiki and Yoga nidra appointments both online and in person. Book here or give Anna a call.

Anna runs fortnightly Yoga nidra classes in Woonona, NSW. Find out more here.

Spring is here! What does the Spring Equinox and the season of Spring mean for you?

What is the Spring Equinox and what does it symbolise?

On 23 September (which also happens to be my daughter’s birthday!) in the Southern Hemisphere we arrived at the Spring Equinox. This is the time of equal day and equal night, the balance of light and dark. There are only two times per year when this event occurs, when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a "nearly" equal amount of daylight and darkness, unlike a Solstice where the opposite occurs and we have two extremes. And so at this time of Equinox we have an opportunity to invite balance into our lives. We have an opportunity to reflect upon the light and dark in our lives and understand that they are valid in equal measures.

We know that the Equinoxes were of great importance to our ancestors because there are many ancient monuments all over the world that were created and built to align with the sunrise and sunset on these special days in ‘The Wheel of the Year’. Celebrated by many cultures and individuals who do not follow a specific spiritual tradition, The Wheel of the Year celebrates the turning of the seasons.

Until the eighteenth century, this Equinox was considered by many cultures to mark the start of the new astrological year, when people would perform rituals to cleanse out old energy in both themselves and in their homes. Better known as a ‘Spring clean’ today, this doesn’t just have to stop at cleaning out a few cluttered cupboards or drawers.

Burn white sage or Palo Santo to cleanse and clear the energy of yourself and your home.

The Spring Equinox is a wonderful time of energetic opportunity!

Add to this the energy and meaning of Spring, seedlings, new growth, fresh starts, rebirth and new beginnings. We have the prefect conditions for intention setting and manifesting what it is you want in your life. Basically, the Spring Equinox is practically, physically, emotionally and spiritually a wonderful time of energetic opportunity. So get yourself some white sage and have an Equinox smoking ceremony to release the energy of the old and invite in the energy of the new. Cleanse yourself and your home and set you intentions for the season ahead. This could be anything from improved health, more quality time with your loved ones, more self care, a change in career, a creative project or perhaps the realisation of a dream or vision:

• What parts of you need a spring clean?

• What needs more or less of your attention?

• What do you need to dust off or get rid of, both figuratively and literarily?

• What are you excited about?

• What do you want to draw more of into your life?

• What do you want to create and experience?

• What in your life needs to be revived, renewed or reborn?

During Spring, everywhere in nature, we see and feel and hear, the energy, the pulse, the sound of new growth. And so we have the opportunity to consciously align with this energy and ‘use’ it to fuel whatever new beginnings we want to create in our lives. Whether your are paying attention to it or not you are part of the Earth, part of the cycle of the seasons, and will be influenced by this energy. If you pay some attention, you may feel it, and if you feel it you can flow with it.

The Spring Equinox is a wonderful time of energetic opportunity!

Kinesiology, TCM and The Wood element - what does it mean for you?

In Kinesiology I work with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) model and in this ancient wisdom Spring is housed in the Wood element. The Wood element is symoblised by green growing things, you can think of a tree with strong roots, keeping the tree firmly planted, it has a solid foundation for growth yet it’s branches are flexible to move freely in the wind. The tree knows when it is time to let go. To shed it’s leaves so it can rest in the dormancy of winter, patiently waiting for it’s rebirth in Spring. New leaves, blossoming and even bearing fruit. So let’s question the metaphysical significance of this and what it might mean in your life at this moment of Equinox:

• How does the image of green growing things relate to your life and your goals?

• Do you have firm roots to sustain your growth?

• Do you have enough structure so that you can achieve your purpose?

• Can you remain grounded yet allow for flexibility when it’s needed?

• Do you know when it’s time to release that which no longer serves you?

• Are you able to rest?

The tree knows when it is time to let go. To shed it’s leaves so it can rest in the dormancy of winter, patiently waiting for it’s rebirth in Spring.

The emotion of Wood is Anger. If you feel angry, that’s not necessarily a bad thing…

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the emotion associated with Wood is Anger. Anger is often labelled a negative emotion. In western culture we are conditioned to the think that anger is wrong but anger is part of a cycle and just like the seasons emotions are cyclical. Anger is in fact the start of the healing process. It tells us when enough is enough. It let’s us know when we need to set boundaries. It is a red flag. If you feel angry, you are no longer numb. Anger is not something to avoid or deny for the comfort of others but it is an alarm telling us it’s time to listen to ourselves. It is time for us to question what is no longer serving us. Anger becomes dangerous when we do not listen to it and when we direct it at others and cause harm. We may move into anger to protect old wounds or as a reaction to fear or a perceived threat or attack. If we habitually react in anger, it helps to first recognise those underlying griefs or fears, and take appropriate action.

• Are there currently any red ‘anger’ flags in your life?

• What is your anger telling you, are you ready to heal?

• What does Anger mean in your life? or in relation to your goals or dreams?

• What underlying griefs or fears do you need to acknowledge?

• Are you angry with yourself or someone else?

• Does your anger seem to be directed at the appropriate person or thing?

• Do you need to acknowledge your anger in order to grow?

The Liver and Gall Bladder in Kinesiology and TCM

In TCM the Wood element houses the Liver and the Gall bladder, another great reason to embrace an internal Spring Clean. The Gall Bladder is a small organ that works with the Liver to aid digestions, breaking heavy parts like fats down further. The Liver has more known functions than any other organ, it is the largest physical organ and is most active while you sleep. It is associated not just with digestion but also metabolism, nourishment, filtration, detoxification and immune function. Liver function is critical to a healthy body and mind. At this time of year the energy is high in the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians and so it is a great time to offer them a little extra TLC:

• How are you handling your multiple responsibilities?

• Aer you open to too many things and becoming overwhelmed/toxic?

• Do you need to absorb more, literally or figuratively?

• What needs detoxification in your life?

• What do you need to let go of?

• What do you need to bring into your life that will be cleansing, purifying or nourishing?

How can you support your Gall Bladder and Liver?

• Drink plenty of water each day - at least 2 - 2.5 litres per day

• Move your body for a minimum of 20 minutes each day

• Eat more fiber - oats, legumes, fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts

• Introduce a glass of warm water and a slice of lemon each morning to aid digestion

• Reduce high trans-fatty and processed foods

• Consume less refined carbohydrates - pasta, white bread, pastries, breakfast cereals

• Reduce sugar intake

• Avoid calorie controlled dieting and consume whole foods or speak to a dietician

• Reduce Alcohol consumption

I’m here to help…

Working with Kinesiology and Reiki I can assist you in restoring balance to your mind and body. To allow you to come into flow with the current energies of the Earth.

Reiki restores balance to the whole being. Although balance can mean different things in different circumstances, Reiki typically brings rapid stress reduction and relief from pain and anxiety. Reiki takes you out of the overactive fight or flight mode, soothing your nervous system and restoring balance rather than targeting a particular issue or symptom.

Using Kinesiology we can work together using muscle testing to identify what is happening beneath the surface. Using TCM model we can work with the energy pathways of the body to release blocked, stagnant energy and undigested emotions. We can move you away from what you don’t want and toward what you do want, physically, mentally and emotionally. Using Kinesiology we can bring you into alignment with your intentions, removing sub-conscious self limiting beliefs, conditioning and programming.

This time of the year is great opportunity to question yourself, to be introspective and curious about your feelings, it is a time to heal and bring about renewal and rebirth. Just like the caterpillar, you must go through the pain and discomfort of transformation, undergoing a deep experience that leads to a whole new capacity and perception, breaking free from your cocoon, and transforming into a magnificent new version of yourself.

I’m here to help and I’d love to hear from you. Ask me a question and let’s take it from there:
hello@hhwithanna.com or call 0416972230 for a friendly chat!

I work online (with any time zone) and in person and I’m available Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Sending much love, light and Reiki blessings to you and yours.

Happy Spring Equinox!

Anna x

Why your body needs to restore balance.

For most of us, our lifestyle tends to keep us in our fight or flight mode, where the body's priority is just to survive. In science this is known as the sympathetic nervous system, you may call it 'stressed’ or 'coping'. There are times when we will and should be in fight or flight, it's our bodies natural survival mechanism, but the evidence shows us that spending too much time here can cause the body to struggle.

Every day, like most people in this culture, your nervous system is over-stimulated and you’re on constant high alert for the next detail or deadline. It’s exhausting, and it overwhelms your body with simply staying alive. Ironically, that cripples your body's ability to self heal.

In this overstimulated state you will struggle to maintain a healthy immune system, get 'run down' often, your recovery from injury or illness is slow, and your sleep is disrupted. You fall into bed exhausted, but you don't get the deeply restorative sleep you need because your body can't remember how to get out of fight or flight. Your body needs to find balance to function at it's best.

The parasympathetic nervous system, is your body's natural place of rest and digest. This is the state where it is the body's priority is to recover, heal, nourish and restore itself. Yes, your body knows how to do all this on its own, and your body was made to function primarily in this state. Your body can be in either rest/digest or flight/fight but not both at the same time.

Contemplate your lifestyle for a moment:

• How often do you get a full night's sleep? or wake feeling rested?

• How often do you feel stressed or anxious about work, family, finances or responsibilities?

• How often do you get sick or run down?

• How long have you had that reoccurring pain or symptom?

• How often do you feel like you are running on empty?

• How often do you practice self care?

• How often do you give yourself permission to stop doing and just be?

We are, after all Human beings not human doings!

Unfortunately for many of us this is our reality. That's why I do this work. I want to help as many people as possible find a way back to a place of rest and digest. I want to help you return your body back to balance so you can feel happy and healthy.

Reiki, Kinesiology and Yoga nidra can help restore balance to your body and mind. Each practice helps your nervous system regulate so high alert anxiety is replaced with steadiness and calm. Science calls this the shift from sympathetic over drive to the parasympathetic state in which your body repairs — and you quickly start sleeping and feeling better.

My business hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 3pm and Saturdays 11am - 2pm. When working online, or with different time zones I can accommodate other hours so please ask if you can’t see times that work for you.

Kinesiology, Reiki and Yoga nidra are all available in person and online. I run Yoga nidra group sessions in person and Reiki circles where you can come to have a short Reiki experience. Both are held in Thirroul and surrounds, please ask if you are looking to join.

My next in person Reiki level one training will be held in June please look out for dates to be confirmed. Reiki level one online is ran every month.

Visit https://hhwithanna.com/reiki-courses-and-training to find out more.

Anna x

m: +61 (0)41 6972 230
e: hello@hhwithanna.com
w: hhwithanna.com

Happy and Healthy with Anna is Back!

Hello!

Happy & Healthy with Anna is back.

Hey, how are you? It’s been a while. Actually it’s been three years according to the date of my last blog post! I wanted to share with you what’s been happening for me, what’s new for Happy and Healthy with Anna, and most importantly how I can be of service to you in 2023.

Since I last saw many of you we have been through a Global Pandemic, a life changing experience for most of us. I wonder what else has been happening for you during this time? I feel that for many of us there have been some big shifts and changes, as the Pandemic forced us to turn inward and contemplate life for a while.

There were some big changes for me too. I took my business online and continued to work during lock down. I gave birth to my second baby, another beautiful daughter. My husband quit his job and started his own business. We relocated our family from Sydney to the beautiful Thirroul on the South Coast, and since then we have moved house twice. There certainly has been a lot of change. Some highs and some, what felt like at the time, extreme lows.

Anna O’Keeffe Kinesiology Reiki Yoga Nidra

Highs and Lows

We all experience lows. I am no different. The work that I do has helped me to recognise when I am out of balance but it hasn't always stopped me from reaching that tipping point, into my stressed out, running on empty fight or flight mode. Just like many of you I have often waited until the very last moment to seek help, and bring back or implement my own self care practices. That's hard when you're sleep deprived. When you're a mum putting yourself first is hard. In fact most of the time it feels almost impossible. I'm learning.

I've been doing this work for almost nine years and I'm still learning. It will always be a journey. Whether you're a parent or not putting yourself first is hard. There is always someone or something else to divert your attention away from you. That's one of the reasons I love to do what I do. I love to give people that space for self care. I love to help you bring your attention back to you.

Here’s what my clients are saying:

Client testimonials Kinesiology Reiki Yoga Nidra

Here’s how I can help you…

Reiki Online & in person

Reiki quickly returns you to your natural state, or at least gets your body moving in the right direction. That means your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure improve. Reiki practice is balancing to your whole system. Addressing isolated symptoms is not enough to help you feel better. With Reiki there is an overall response as your system shifts into your body’s natural state of rest and digest. It is here that your own self-healing mechanisms function at their very best.

Here are the common benefits Reiki clients have reported:

• Improved sleep

• Less anxiety

• Improvement in depressive symptoms

• Less pain

• Mood stabilization

• Enhanced resilience to stress

• Improved self esteem

• Improved digestion

• Improved focus and memory

• Reduced side effects from medications and medical procedures

• Faster recovery from injuries and surgery

• Greater social ease and satisfaction

• Greater sense of meaning

Reiki sessions are available online and in person. Reply to this email or visit my website to find out more. You can book online here:

Kinesiology online & in person

Kinesiology allows us to speak directly to your body through muscle testing. This allows us to understand what is linked with your survival system/your fight or flight mode and why you might be spending too much time in this reactive sympathetic nervous system. Consciously you may be longing for freedom, to be free from ongoing physical symptoms or pain, anxiety, or insomnia for example, but your subconscious is saying “no it’s not safe!” Using Kinesiology we can then get feedback from your body to find out what is needed to bring you out of fight or flight and into a place of rest and digest. Helping your body find it's way back to balance.

Here are the common benefits my Kinesiology clients have reported:

• Feeling calm

• Improved energy

• Improved self esteem

• Improved ability to move forward in life

• Sense of renewal

• Improved strategies to help live a more balanced life

• Life changing

• Addressed deep underlying issues

• Improved sense of full potential

• Improved health, happiness and balance

• Feeling grounded

• Release of blocked emotion

Sessions are available online and in person. Reply to this email or visit my website to find out more. You can book online here:

Here’s what’s new in 2023…

Anna O’Keeffe Kinesiology Reiki Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra

After experiencing the powerful benefits of Yoga Nidra over the past four years, I decided to study this ancient and deeply healing practice so that I could include it in my offering to clients. I first came across Yoga nidra during Yoga classes, now and again teachers would end their class with a yoga nidra. After my first baby was born I was struggling to 'sleep when they sleep' during the day, I was feeling tired and unable to catch up on the rest I needed. A yoga teacher suggested trying yoga nidra and this is where my journey began. It wasn't until my second baby was born and my sleep deprivation hit new lows that Yoga nidra became a life line. Soon I will finish my Yoga nidra teacher certification.

I am already guiding groups online and working with clients one on one. Let me know if you'd like to join!

Yoga nidra, also known as yogic sleep or Non sleep deep rest (NSDR) is a powerful technique for controlling your body’s rest and digest response. Yoga nidra can be as restorative as sleep, while you remain fully conscious. Giving your mind and body an extra window, even just 10 minutes, of deep relaxation offers powerful benefits! Yoga Nidra works by guiding you down through the different levels of your brainwaves, which happens naturally as you fall asleep. This engages your parasympathetic nervous system (there's that term again), yes your body's natural place of rest and digest. It allows you to reside in a relaxed state and is associated with tissue regeneration, brain repair and healing of the body.

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Reiki training and Reiki self care courses

I am now teaching Reiki courses both in person and online. Reiki levels 1, 2 and 3 are all available but I primarily focus on Reiki level one / Self care training.

The focus of this training is how to practice daily self Reiki, and why this is important. I truly believe that when we take our own healing literally into our own hands we become empowered. You'll learn the history of Reiki and how to give yourself and others (friends and family) a full Reiki session.

What could be more accessible than your own hands? You will have your own ability to immediately engage the body's rest and digest response and bring your body back to balance.

If you are interested in learning how to practice self Reiki please contact me. I can work online with any time zone!

Anna O’Keeffe Kinesiology Reiki Yoga Nidra

I am delighted to be returning to service.

I truly believe, apart from being a mum, wife, daughter, sister, friend, I was put on this planet in this lifetime to do this work. To help restore balance. It starts with us. When we heal ourselves, when we become whole and balanced, a ripple effect on human consciousness begins. When we come from a place of love rather than fear and we begin to forgive, we invite in compassion for ourselves and our fellow humans. And so I invite you to do the same.

I invite you to let me help you find a way back to balance. When I begin working with clients they are often feeling stuck. Confused about making a decision, which way to turn next, or even paralysed with fear. After working together, whether it's online or in person they are able to take a step forward. Like a fog has lifted. It doesn't have to be a leap. Just one small, teeny tiny step is all it takes. I am here to help.

If you have made it to the end of this blog I am honoured that you have given me this time and attention, and grateful to have you here with me.

If you would like to say hi, I'd love to hear from you. I'd love to know what's been happening in your life.

Sending much love & light to you and yours. I look forward to hearing from you.

Anna x

m: +61 (0)41 6972 230
e: hello@hhwithanna.com
w: hhwithanna.com

How do Online Kinesiology/healing sessions work?

“Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy, this is physics”
-Albert Einstein 

I’m often asked if online Kinesiology/healing sessions really do work. How is it possible that we can gain the same results when we are not even in the same continent or time zone, let alone the same room? How is it possible to receive energy balancing or healing if I am not physical present with you?

Having worked with clients over online video calls across many different time zones and countries, I am able to say with confidence that YES, online healing does work. I have felt and witnessed the benefits. If, as Einstein said “Everything is energy”, then I am energy, you are energy and we are made of the same energy. That energy knows no time, no boundaries, no limitations. Energy is ‘limit-less’. There are no distinctions between what is physically present in the now, and what is energetically present in the past, present or future. Therefore, time and space have no meaning in this context. If you can get your head around that you are well on your way!

For most of us, our experience of this physical reality is governed by the perceptions that time and space are fixed. We live within a framework of time and space, meaning that our perceptions are locked into this paradigm. Our perception is that things are not only separated by distance, but that time only moves in one direction.

What science reveals about space or distance between objects is that they are actually not separate as they may seem. In the words of Einstein, “this is not a philosophy, this is physics”. We may experience things as being separate from us, but this is merely a perception of our limited belief that space and distance are fixed, and that time is always only moving forward.

In energy healing work, energy is sent with intention across, through and beyond ‘time and space’. You do not have to be physically present with the practitioner to receive the energy healing. It may be done over the phone, video call or even without any physical or verbal communication at a specific time set aside and agreed upon between you and the practitioner.

Online healing is equally as effective as an in-person session because we are accessing the individual’s energy body. With intention and permission the energy body can be accessed easily from anywhere and at any time and does not require you to be physically present with the practitioner.

How do we work together in an online session?

It’s much the same as an in-person session. The main difference being that rather than using your muscle for the Kinesiology testing I use my own muscle. If you’re not sure what I mean by Kinesiology or muscle testing, please read my Blog: My journey with Kinesiology. What is it and how does it work?

At a scheduled time we set up our online video call. With this, the permission and intention is already set. Prior to our call commencing I tap into your energy allowing me to start accessing your energy bodies. Using my muscle, I am able to ask if I have accessed your energy bodies successfully and if I have permission to muscle test on your behalf and then we are ready to go.

The online session then follows the same format as an in-person session. First, we offer your body both physical and emotional support to the body’s energy systems. When support is required, I demonstrate how to perform this on yourself, I do the same and we perform the ‘balancing’ work together. My intention is already set that anything I perform on myself is for your balancing and healing. Then we move into the priority for your session. Guided by your body’s instruction and using my muscle testing we access your body’s sub-conscious/energy systems to uncover emotional and energetic blockages, which need attention and balancing.

As we move through the session, I will be guiding you to perform physical work on yourself, as I perform the energy work with you, just as I would in an in-person session. This physical work may include, hand or finger placements, massaging, tapping, stroking and rubbing on specific areas of the body. As well as visualisations, affirmations, and breath work. As with an in-person session your body has the unlimited potential to access any material outside of your body that may assist your conscious mind with guidance or information, and support your energy bodies with balancing/healing. This may be accessing books, crystals, cards or oils available in either your own physical space or mine. When the session is complete we close down our online session making sure I am no longer accessing your energy, in the same way we do when we are physically present with each other.

Of course, many people prefer an in-person session but it’s not always possible. The demands of our busy lives make it difficult to prioritise self-care, particularly if we have to drive from one side of the city to the other or we have to schedule child care or we can’t find an appointment time that works. Often it can seem like the easier thing to do is to not bother at all. I encourage you to think again. Or perhaps you are physically on the other side of this planet and wondering how to access my services. There is always an answer. If you are being called to this work, I urge you to listen and be guided by that inner voice. Do not let your perception of time and space limit your journey in this life time.

Here’s what a recent online client wrote about their experience:

“I recently had an online kinesiology session over a Whatsapp video call with Anna. Originally I was unsure as to how this would work, as I’m usually in the same room for my treatments, however I was so amazed at how connected I felt, regardless of the distance. Anna was able to tune into my energy and body very quickly and her insights were so helpful. I genuinely believe that whether you are in her treatment room, or communicating via phone or video call, she has the ability to connect and channel exactly what the client’s body needs and how things are manifesting in the mind. I came away from the online session feeling calm, relaxed and more knowledgeable about myself. I also felt much clearer and I definitely trust this method of working together for our next session. Thank you Anna!”

So, whether you’ve thought about an online session before but hesitated, or you’re simply interested to know how it could work for you or your family please feel free to get in touch to find out more. I am always available to talk over any questions or concerns that you may have. I look forward to seeing you online soon.

Anna x

w: hhwithann.com
e: hello@hhwithanna.com
m: (+61) 041 6972 230